Launch of National Children's Hour

With the nation having an extra hour as the clocks go back this Sunday, Action for Children is launching 'National Children's Hour' to encourage adults to spend the extra time with the children in their life.

Families are invited to come along to the first ever National Children's Hour event at the House of Vans in London.

The event is free of charge and allows children - and adults - to get creative by making magic potions and junk modelling, becoming scientists with baking soda volcanoes or even getting musical by making and playing of instruments.

A light-hearted indoor 'sports day' gives children and families the opportunity to compete against each other and also take part in free skateboarding lessons [booking essential].

The Further Adventures of The Owl and the Pussycat, the new book from children's author Julia Donaldson, will be brought to life in the tunnels.

As a supporter of the initiative and one of the UK's leading children's authors, Julia Donaldson has fond memories of being read to as a child; "I used to 'Listen With Mother' every day to a radio programme with that name. Another early memory is of being joggled about on an auntie's knee and joining in her chant about how the characters rode, building up from a sedate walk to a wild gallop."

Action for Children was founded in Waterloo where the House of Vans is sited today. The charity has been listening to the needs of children in the UK for over 145 years and with National Children's Hour it aims to continue reaching out to each and every child.